Sickly coyote concerns residents living in Calgary’s Meadowlark Park

A sick coyote roaming the southwest Calgary neighbourhood of Meadowlark Park is raising safety concerns among residents.

A sickly coyote seen roaming the southwest Calgary community of Meadowlark Park has some residents feeling concerned for their safety and the well-being of neighbourhood kids.

The coyote, which appears to be suffering from a severe case of mange, has reportedly been living in the area for several weeks.

Multiple sightings have been reported to the City of Calgary’s 311-line, Alberta Fish and Wildlife, and local law enforcement, but residents say little action has been taken.

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Christa Brown lives near the greenspace on Meadowlark Crescent and 61 Avenue S.W. where the coyote has been frequently seen frolicking through bushes.

“A couple weeks ago, we were out here in the park, and the coyote approached my one-year-old daughter,” Brown said. “It was just 10 feet away, and we got really nervous.”

“We’re grateful that the coyote just walked away, but I feel like it’s just an accident waiting to happen, and I feel like law enforcement and wildlife services, unfortunately, they’re not doing anything about it.”

Recent doorbell camera footage obtained by CTV News shows the coyote walking past with a dead cat in its mouth.

Gayle Morton witnessed the incident as she was leaving her house to go to work.

“I was close enough to see the cat and the tail, she said. “I pulled right up to the curb, looked at the coyote, he looked at me, and then he got up and ran, jumped over a little retaining wall and headed down a little cut through to the back alley.”

“It’s very concerning, because we have neighbors right next door to us that have little children – like really small. This animal has been around since last fall and we’re beginning to worry.”

Amanda Lovig Hagg, who oversees community engagement for the Meadowlark Park Community Association, says many residents are alarmed.

“In the past couple of months, the coyote has gotten progressively more and more sick, and we are worried that he is going to start acting aggressively because of that,” she said.

“Various residents have been sending in emails and making calls to 311, the non-emergency line and fish and wildlife for the past few weeks, if not more like a couple of months, and the responses have been very confusing, and they’ve varied.”

Lovig Hagg says she understands nature has to take its course, but she wonders why wildlife conservation officers haven’t taken measures to remove the animal from the area.

“Most of the people we’ve talked to, after being on hold for a very long time, have let us know that nothing can be done, or that something can only be done if we have the animal in one spot and it stays there until they arrive, which is very hard to do.”

Experts agree the animal is suffering.

Dennis Murray, a biology professor at Trent University, reviewed images of the coyote and confirmed it likely has mange — a condition caused by mites that results in fur loss and discomfort, potentially altering the animal’s behavior.

“It may be a little bolder due to hunger or discomfort,” said Murray. “But unless there’s a serious incident, authorities often let nature take its course.”

City of Calgary ‘monitoring the situation’

The City of Calgary and Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife say they are aware of reports of a sick coyote wandering through Meadowlark Park.

In a statement, the city told CTV News it is “monitoring the situation.”

“We remind citizens to not allow cats to roam outside and to supervise dogs when they are in yards,” read the statement.

“Also, never leave pet food outdoors or feed wildlife, as this can lead to an escalation in conflict. The city encourages Calgarians to report coyote sightings and aggressive or threatening behaviour to 311.”

The city adds that human safety is its main priority, and provided the following safety tips for residents who notice a coyote nearby:

• Make sure your dog is under control, get it on leash if it isn’t already, and pick it up if it is smaller;
• Stand your ground and try to make yourself appear large;
• Wave your hands/arms;
• Shout and make noise;
• Do not run from the coyote, instead back away slowly while keeping your eyes on the coyote;
• Consider carrying something that makes noise, like a jar with coins, that you can shake to deter a coyote; and,
• If the coyote is very persistent you can throw small rocks or sticks near, but not directly at, the coyote.

Fish and Wildlife said it typically becomes involved only when there is an “imminent public safety risk.”

Despite several reports concerning the safety of young children and pets, Fish and Wildlife says that in Alberta, municipalities and municipal districts are responsible for responding to coyote concerns within their communities.

“Officers often receive reports of diseased or emaciated coyotes,” read a statement.

“However, these animals are frequently still mobile, making it difficult for officers to safely intervene. In situations where a coyote is no longer able to move or feed, officers may euthanize the animal.”